U.S. Senate Reauthorizes Satellite Home Viewer Act - The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has applauded the passage of a bill reauthorizing the SHVIA as aiding millions of Americans to join the digital television revolution. Satellite providers can now transmit both standard and DTV programming from the major networks to TV viewers who cannot receive the telecasts from their local affiliates (often because they cant or wont put up an outdoor antenna...). The CEA said the bill will make DTV programming available to millions of consumers in rural and other under-served areas.

Fast-Forward Felons? - Some other bills in front of Congress at present wouldnt get applause from the CEA. One makes recording a theatrical movie in a theater on video a felony. Another makes it illegal to skip or fast-forward past the commercials on programs time-shifted by your PVR or VCR. The RIAA and MPAA are of course in favor of these laws. Logic seems to have no bearing on the thinking of the anti-piracy camp.

More DualDisc Advisory Notices - Eight makers of optical disc players have now issued consumer notices about avoiding the new DualDisc format until further testing establishes that it wont cause problems with players. The list now includes Mark Levinson, Marantz, Sony Europe, Toshiba, Sony Electronics, Pioneer Electronics, Onkyo Electronics and Sony Computer Entertainment America. (The first DualDiscs just arrived in the AudAud offices and played without problem on the four players at hand plus an iMac.)

ECM Records Records Nine Grammy Nominations - The German-based jazz and classical label ECM received nine nominations for the 47th Annual Grammy Awards coming up February 13th. Founder Manfred Eicher had won Classical Producer of the Year in 2002 and is again one of the nominations in this category. Some of the albums nominated were Silvestrovs Requiem for Larissa, Tigran Mansurians Monodia, Keith Jarretts The Out-of-Towners, and Jan Garbareks In Praise of Dreams.